S.C. initial unemployment claims drop slightly to close out 2021

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For the final reporting week of 2021, South Carolina saw 1,135 initial unemployment claims, bringing the total of first-time claims filed in the state since March 15, 2020 to 943,540. 

The claims reported for the week ending Dec. 25 represented a drop of 81 from the previous week, according to S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce data. For the most recent week, $2.13 million was paid in a combination of state and federal unemployment benefits, bringing the total benefits paid since March 15, 2020 to $6.59 billion. 

For the most recent week, Horry County saw a state-high 110 initial claims, while Spartanburg County saw 85. Richland County had 80, Anderson County 77 and Greenville County 71. 

Nationally, initial unemployment claims dropped to 198,000 for the week ending Dec. 25, down 8,000 from the previous week.